The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-17
A BIG CONTRACT WITH RISKS
The Clafin Company ReneWs Its Prop
osition to Pave Washington Street,
And Is Willing to Assume the Responsibility
of Making Johnson Pay His Share of the
Expense-What the Council Will Do.

Kearney Graham, who represents the Clafiin
Paving Company, yesterday renewed his propo-
stion to take the Washington improve
menr contract with all the risks attending it,
from the Citizens Street-railway Companys re-
fusal to pay any part of the cost. The sum the
company is asked to pay is about $25. 900. An
official said that the contractors to whom the
work was awarded repeatedly talked of Col
Johnson's probable refusal. That he would do
so was understood by everybody and now
to plead want of knowledge
in regard to it will not avail The official thinks
the judiciary committee to whom Fulmer. Sci.
bert & Coopers withdrawal from the work has
been referred will report against any PROPOSE
ton to make the city liable for the amount the
street-car company will not pay. The Clafin
Paving Company says it will do the work and
run the risk OF collecting the $25, 900. more or
less, from Col. johnson without any guarantee
from the city. It's bid is So higher than that of
F'ulmer, Seibert g Cooper. but it owns the
Medina quarries. which enables it to meet
any loss that might occur in the manner stated.
In connection with this matter another official
said. ut is in keeping with the johnson policy
to get all for nothing. few years ago Col.
johnson came here and secured franchise OF
the streets without paying dollar into the city
treasury, except what is forced from him by
taxation. I do not know what his taxable val
ues are, but think the $500, 900 offered him for
his street-railway lines and property is an enor-
nous value. More than half of that
sum think, is represented by the the
tangible property, and can make it worth no
more than $250O00. That leaves $3.50, 900 for
the franchise alone if the sale is consummated
at $500. 000 This great sum is the appreciation
of grant given him by the city. 1t did not cost
him a cent, far the city is the gamer. In
other words, he has. without investing dollar.
a value that he can sell for than half
million OF dollars. With this wealth gained
a city charter. he absolutely refuses to pay a
dollar for improving a street by which he would
gain as much as the city"
'Yet there Democrats in the Council
a nearer suggested. who are urgent in having
the city guarantee what Johnson will not pay"
Certainly and they intend to make fight
for il. Johnsons sole hope is in Democratic
counclmen. They claim to favor the Dudley
the schemes of the Citizens Street railway
Company, and there two that the
johnson oouncilmen are doing all they can to
THAT refers no doubt. to the proposed State
street lnel"
s.Yes Months ago Edenharter introduced
resolution requiring the Citizens company to
lay track on that street. He made the Coun-
Gil Chamber ring with his appeals for the adop-
ton of the resolution. and in season and out of
season shouted about the needs of the citizens
in that part of the city Since he has been nom
mated for Mayor he has not uttered word about
State street. but there are two three other
Democrats who are anxious to have the resolu
ton passed They are candidates for
sns oun Whs, .a and ntro
duced Johnson said he would not build the line,
and until recently often repeated his determine
ton to put down track that street which
would give to Woodruff Place residents a con-
uection with the city. Since the ordinance
passed giving the Dudley company the right to
build on Michigan street, thus supplying the
Woodruff Place people with street-car line,
johnson has reconsidered his purpose concern
ing State street. He wants to build
line there and has his agents
working in that section Of the city urging the
people to demand the passage of the State
street. resolution. He has secured petition
signed by ninety citizens asking for immediate
action. The Democratic councimen want to
get this before Council and it is presumed that
Edsnharter will again be heard on the question.
what he say In favor of the State
street line will offend the street-car boss"
The railroad committee of the Council had the
resolution under consideration Monday after
noon, when Councilman Haugh urged that
report be MADE favorable to the resolution. The
chairman, Councilman Pearson, said that he
would not consent to anything of the
kind until Col johnson builds track
on Clifford avenue. A resolution
curing him to do it was passed months
ago and. in all other of the kind, Col
johnson told the Council that he would not do
it The report not made, but the Demo
cratic councsmen are pushing the matter for
early action to enable johnson to build his track
on State street before the Dudley company
get track down on Michigan street That
work, however, a member of the company says
will be contracted for just soon as City
Engineer Shearer has completed the specifca-
tions which he is now preparing